Santa Cruz cops: Man shot pregnant woman, grabbed officer's gun

Santa Cruz police said they arrested an 18-year-old man Thursday night who allegedly shot a pregnant woman, tried to grab an officer's gun, injured the officer, and was finally wrestled into handcuffs when a second backup officer shot him with a Taser.

Jose Xilonzochilt was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on the following charges: attempted homicide, possession of narcotics, resisting arrest, attempting to take an officer’s firearm, and participation in a criminal street gang.

Police were on the lookout for Xilonzochilt because they believed he was the gunman who shot four people, including a pregnant woman, in the Beach Flats neighborhood on May 19.

At 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Xilonzochilt was driving a white Honda when he made a traffic violation on the 100 block of Trinity Street, and an officer pulled him over, police said.

"During the stop, Xilonzochilt attempted to give a false name. The officer recognized Xilonzochilt. As the officer attempted to take Xilonzochilt into custody, a violent fight ensued. Xilonzochilt attempted to remove the officer’s handgun from his holster during the fight. A second officer assisted and deployed a Taser as Xilonzochilt was attempting to remove the officer’s handgun," Clark said.

The injured officer is a 12-year Santa Cruz Police Department veteran. He sustained injuries and was treated at Dominican Hospital.

"He is expected to be off work for several days while he recovers," Clark said.

The May 19 shooting happened on Third Street and Raymond Street, when four San Jose residents were shot.

"The confrontation erupted over territorial gang tensions between Norteno gangs and Sureno gangs. One member of the San Jose group, a 20-year-old pregnant female, was struck by one of the rounds and sustained non-life-threatening injuries," Clark said.

Detectives said Xilonzochilt is a Beach Flats Sureno gang member and has a lengthy criminal history.